By Phil RogersINDIANAPOLIS -- Having traded innings-eater Kevin Millwood to Baltimore earlier in the day, the Texas Rangers took a $7.5-million gamble on former Cub Rich Harden Wednesday night.
Harden, a Type B free agent, signed a contract guaranteeing him $6.5 million in 2010 with a chance to earn $3.5 million in incentives based on innings pitched. The deal also includes an $11 million option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse.
Photo: Rich Harden at Wrigley. (Phil Velasquez / Tribune)
The deal is contingent on Harden passing a physical, which could be
problematic. The St. Louis Cardinals strongly considered pursuing him
but decided to sign Brad Penny instead after taking a look at his
medical records.
Hendry passed up a chance to get some return on Harden when he declined to deal him to Minnesota on Aug. 31, feeling he could help the Cubs make up a gap of 5 1-2 games in the wild-card race.
The Cubs acquired Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland during the 2008 playoff race, sending right-hander Sean Gallagher, second baseman-outfielder Eric Patterson, outfielder Matt Murton and catcher Josh Donaldson to the Athletics.
Hendry passed up a chance to get some return on Harden when he declined to deal him to Minnesota on Aug. 31, feeling he could help the Cubs make up a gap of 5 1-2 games in the wild-card race.
The Cubs acquired Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland during the 2008 playoff race, sending right-hander Sean Gallagher, second baseman-outfielder Eric Patterson, outfielder Matt Murton and catcher Josh Donaldson to the Athletics.
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I just wasn't sure if that was something that the Cubs were talking about, or if it was just fan talk. I wanted Harden to come back, starter or reliever, but I wouldn't have wanted the Cubs to throw a lot of money at him like the Rangers did.
As for what Cyder said: I wonder if Harden would have come back to the Cubs for less? I'm guessing he knew that some team out there would be willing to pay him more than he's worth, bad shoulder or not. And you say "Hendry and his stupid free spending ways led to Harden's departure." Ummm, if Hendry was a "free-spender" wouldn't he have done what the Rangers did and threw a bunch of money at Harden to stay? If anything, Hendry finally showed some financial restraint in not giving a pitcher with injury problems a big contract. Too bad he couldn't have shown the same restraint last January! Does Hendry deserve the blame for that? Sure. Does he deserve to get fired over it....I say not just yet, but soon if he can't fix it.
I'm sorry to see Harden go. We'll miss you.
We just let Harden walk away when everyone knew he wanted to stay in Chicago, but Hendry and his stupid free spending
ways led to Harden's departure. Hendry is the WORST!
Doug wrote on December 10, 2009 10:51 AM
["I'm just wondering, where did all this talk of Harden in the bullpen or Harden as a closer come from?"]
Doug, it’s called idle speculation. Harden hit the century mark on his pitch count in the 5th inning of almost all his games this past season. When a starter can't average more than 5 1/3 innings per start its time to start looking at moving him to the bullpen. The Rangers WAY OVER PAID for him, $7.5 million plus performance based incentives? with an $11 million option for 2011??? That's crazy for this guy, he's now paid like Jason Marquis' last contract but Harden will never hit 200 innings in a given season like Marquis did.
As a Sox fan, I've noticed that most of you are a little more bitter than usual and after forecasting what's coming up (a sub-.500 season for the Cubs and a possible World Series for the White Sox), how long will it be before we refer to Cub fans as America's next terrorist group?
Well another real good trade for the Cubs. After 2 years they have neither left regarding Harden and Gaudin. 4 players for 2 and nothing left. Wonder why the Cubs con't to lose!
Hey Rod. If the Cubs disgust you so much then why do you still care? Surely there are better things to do in the beautiful state of Tennessee than get all bent out of shape over a team that plays 500 miles away from your location. And if you are a lifelong Cubs fan, then why are you so surprised at their poor management. How is this era any different to you from any other era in Cubs history?
I'm just wondering, where did all this talk of Harden in the bullpen or Harden as a closer come from? I never heard the Cubs mention it, and it looks like the Rangers want Harden to start too. On top of that, the other teams who were rumored to be interested in Harden, mainly the Mariners and Red Sox, were looking at him as a starter. The Cardinals took a look at his medical records and lost interest. Of course they all ready have a closer, so I would guess they were looking at him as a starter too.
So, my question is, has anyone connected to an actual major league team mentioned Harden being a closer, or is this just the wild dreams of some idiot sports writers and/or fans?
Aww, too bad. I wish St. Louis would have signed him so he could have shoved win after win in Jim Hendry's face.
Hendry has destroyed this team so badly, that my anger has me feeling things that i've never dreamed i've ever feel about my lifelong love affair with the Cubs. I almost hope for them to keep on losing, my disgust has grown so much.
I wish Harden the best of luck. He was a big boost to the team in 2008 but after an up and down 2009, it's a business decision that they didn't want to rely on him next year. Good luck in Texas. Go Cubs!
I can't fault the Cubs for letting Harden go, in light of his arm issues. BUT they should have found a way to do the Granderson deal!
We could have Peavy and Harden - But NO!! Even if taking a chance on their health, at least we would have a chance. We don't now!
Harden was good the first year they had him. But why spend millions on a injury prone guy. The cubs did the right thing by letting him walk. Too bad he wasn't more receptive to moving to the pen, he could have been a great closer.
Harden would have been nice to pick up for our bullpen, but he's not worth $7 mil. He's also not durable enough to be a starter. Lotsa luck to Texas on that.
Fire Hendry now!!
I liked harden He was solid for the most part but he was extremly injury prone just like mark prior, Both had great stuff and could shut teams down but they could not stay off the dl.
WHAT A JOKE CUB'S DO NOT HAVE ANY PITCHERS. NOT EVEN BODY'S TO THROW ON THE MOUND...DON'T FORGET LILY HAD SURGERY.NO RELIEF,EXCEPT FOR MARMOL MAYBE 2 DEPENDABLE STARTERS FOR OPENING DAY.GOOD LUCK